Truck



Oct. 6, 1.942. R. Bfco'rrRr-:LL

TRUCK Filed Dec. 13, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. A COZZreZ,

m mw, ww w KN lll' Oct. 6, 1942.

R. B. co'r'rRr-:LL

TRUCK Filed Dec. l5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l66 jj 72 70 fwd Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRUCK tion of New Jersey Application December 13, 1940, Serial No. 369,923

13 Claims.

My invention relates to a railway Car truck and more particularly to an improvement of a wellknown form of four wheel railway freight car truck which utilizes the usual spaced side frames and intervening bolster. In this particular form of truck, the ends of the bolster are seated on the spring bands of semi-elliptic springs which are housed in the bolster openings of side frames with their ends extending therethrough and resting on fulcrum levers at opposite ends of the truck, and the said levers have their adjacent ends fulcrumed beneath said bolster openings and their opposite ends supported on hangers which are carried on coil springs adjacent the journal boxes at the ends of the truck.

A general object of my invention is to devise an improved form of said truck which will facilitate a quick wheel change by permitting ready removal of the bolster from the bolster opening of the side frame without disturbing the spring assembly.

My invention contemplates an arrangement of such a form of railway car truck wherein each bolster end may be supported on a single area centrally thereof through the medium of an interlocking member which may be seated on the adjacent elliptic spring and interlocked with the guide columns of the side frame.

In my novel arrangement, a portion of each bolster end is interlocked with' the adjacent side frame columns but the interlocking relationship extends only over a restricted portion of the bolster and the bolster opening is afforded a relatively widened portion at the top thereof through which said column cooperating portion of the bolster may be applied or withdrawn without disturbing the spring arrangement on which the bolster is supported.

A more specific object of my invention is to devise an improved form of such' a railway car truck wherein a single member is supported atop the semi-elliptic spring in each side frame, said member being interlocked with the end of the bolster which is supported thereon, and said member also being interlocked with the guide column surfaces of the side frame with which the end of the bolster also may have interlocking engagement.

A different object of my invention is such an improved form of truck as that described wherein the column engaging surfaces of the bolster and the column engaging surfaces of the member on which the bolster is supported are similar in form, both being complementary to the column guide surface with which they are interlocked;

In th'e drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a railway car truck embodying my invention, wheel yand axle assemblies omitted.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the car truck structure shown in Figure 1, wheel and axle assemblies not shown.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the bolster, Figure 3A a fragmentary bottom plan of the side frame engaging end of the bolster, and Figure 4 a fragmentary side elevation thereof,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through the bolster end taken in the vertical plane extending across the bolster substantially as indicated by the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the spring cap and interlocking member on which' the bolster is supported, and Figure 7 is a side elevation thereof.`

Describing the structure in detail, it may be noted that the side frame is a truss structure comprising a compression member 2 of inverted U-section and a tension member 4 of box-section adjacent the transverse center line of the frame with the top web 6, the bottom web 8, and inboard and outboard side walls, said tension member being of U-section beneath the spaced columns I0, IIJ with the bottom web 8 thereof cored away outwardly of the columns to form the elongated opening II affording accessibility to the lever and spring arrangement.

' The columns I9, I0 are integrally formed with said tension and compression members and define therewith a central bolster opening I2 within which may Vbe received in the usual manner the end of the bolster I3, said bolster having the usual side bearing I5 and center bearing I'I (Figure 3). 'I'h'e ends of the tension and compression members merge in a box-section adjacent each journal box, and at the extremities of the frame with the integral journal boxes I4, I4. The front and rear walls of said box section may be cored away as at I9, 2| to afford access to the spring pocket therebetween. The inboard and outboard walls I5 and I8 of the compression member are continuous over the journal box and terminate in converging flanges 20 and 22 which may extend around the outer sides of the boxes as may be noted from the top plan view of Figure 2. The transverse web 24 of the compression member is also continuous over said journal box as indicated at 26 and may be cored away over said box as at 28 (Figure 2) for convenient foundry practice. Likewise, over the box-section adjacent the journal box the web 24 of the compression member may be cored out as at 30 in an oval opening and beaded therearound as at 32 to afford access for application or removal of the spring cap 34 which affords a saddle as at 30 for the T-shaped hanger 38. The spring cap 34 may be positioned on the coil spring group comprising the outer coil 40 and the inner coil 42, both' of which may be seated on the spring seat 54 which is in the form of a horizontal transverse web extending between the inboard and outboard walls of the box-section adjacent the journal box. The web 44 is formed with a central opening 45 through which the bottom end of the hanger 38 may extend, and the extremity of said hanger may be formed as a'stirrup with a seat as at 48 for one end of the fulcrum lever 50, the opposite end of which may be seated as at 52 on the arcuate top surface of the transverse strut 54 extending between the inboard and out- Y board walls of the tension member adjacent the transverse center line of the frame.

Outwardly of each column l the inboard and outboard walls of the side frame may be cored away to form upper and lower spaced window openings and 53 with the intervening strut 55, said strut extending diagonally downward from the juncture of each column l0 with the compression member to merge with the inner edge of the adjacent spring seat 44. The inboard and outboard struts 55, 55 at each end of the frame may be joined by a transverse web 5l extending therebetween.

Atop each fulcrum lever 50 and intermediate its ends may be formed a spring seat 5S on which may be seated one end of the semi-elliptic spring 58 having the center band 60 with an arcuate top surface which may be seated as at 52 in the transverse slot 64 formed n the bottom of the spring cap and interlocking member 50. The spring cap and interlocking member 00 is shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7 and comprises a bottom web 68 relatively narrow at the midportion and widened at the ends to a form best seen in the top plan view of Figure 6. The member 55 is bi-symmetrical in plan and formed with upright end portions l0, l0, the outer faces of which are deiined by spaced vertical arcuate surfaces l2, l2 and intervening vertical slots 14, I4. Centrally of the web 53 may be formed the top raised portion 'l0 with the central stud 18, said raised portion 1B being of rectangular form receivable within the rectangular recess 80 centrally formed in the bottom wall of the bolster end. Inboard and outboard of the recess 80 the bottom wall of the bolster may be formed with arcuate seats 82, 82 which may be aligned with the arcuate seat 62 on the bottom of the member 6G so that the spring cap 60 may abut against the seat 52 on the member 66 and the spaced aligned seats 82, 82 (Figure 5) at opposite sides thereof.

The end portion of the bolster I3 may be of general box-section with the top wall 84, the bottom wall BE, spaced side walls 88, 88, and a vertical central web 90 extending between the top and bottom walls centrally of the bolster end. The bottom wall 86 of the bolster end is formed with a shallow transverse recess 9| extending thereacross within which may be conveniently seated the web 68 of the member 66 of complementary form. At opposite sides of each bolster end may be formed the widened top shelf portions 92, 92 having a depth A (Figure 4) somewhat less than the depth B (Figure 1) of the widened portion at the top of the bolster opening |2 so that the bolster end may be assembled or dismantled without disturbing the spring assembly on which it may be supported. Each shelf portion 92 has a guide surface comprising spaced arcuate walls 54, 94 with an intervening slot 96, said guide surfaces being similar to the beforementioned guide surfaces on the end portions of the member 6G and, likewise, being complementary to the guide surfaces 08, 93 centrally formed on the spaced columns I0, |0. Each guide surface 93 thus comprises a center vertical ange |00 which may be received in the aligned slots I4 and 95 of the bolster and interlocking member. The parallel vertical faces of the inner surfaces of the end portions 0, 'l0 of the interlocking member SS may seat at |02, |02 against Vthe side walls of the bolster beneath the shelf portions S2, 92, and the reinforcing ribs |04, |04 at each end of the interlocking member 66 may be received in the slots |06, |06 in the side walls of the bolster thus further tying together the member 65 with the bolster end. The central vertical web of the bolster end is cored away as at |08 (Figure 4) over the seat 16 and, likewise,said seat 'l5 is formed with a central opening ||0 over which may project the stud T8 of the interlocking member 66 and, if desired, a cotter ||2 may be used to prevent accidental release of the bolster end. The bolster end may be further positioned with respect to the member 50 by means of the downwardly projecting lugs H4, ||4 (Figure 4) on each bolster shelf portion 92.

In my novel arrangement, it will readily be seen that the bolster end may be disengaged from the interlocking member and elevated to the top of the bolster opening where it may readily be removable through the relieved widened portion at the top of said bolster opening. When in assembled relationship, the bolster and interlocking member have aligned arcuate seats 02 and 82 which are seated on the spring band 60 and the semi-elliptic spring and may have slight rocking relationship with respect thereto. In the well-known spring arrangement shown, the bolster is thus directly supported on the semi-elliptic spring on which may also be seated the interlocking member 56, both said bolster and said interlocking member having guiding engagement with the guide surfaces centrally formed on each column, and through the fulcrum levers 50, 50 additional support for said r bolster is afforded by means of the coil spring groups seated adjacent the journal boxes. It will be clearly apparent that a wheel change may be quickly accomplished by disengaging the bolster end from the side frame without disturbing the spring arrangement or the interlocking member; said side frame may readily be moved outwardly away from the bolster after the bolster end has been raised to the top of the bolster opening.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a. railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at tending into said bolster opening with a widened upper portion engaging said guide surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relationship with said interlocking member, said widened top portion having a depth less than the distance between said guide surfaces member thereabove so that said bolster end may be raised above said engaged from said bolster opening while said ine terlocking member and spring remain in asi sembled relationship therein, said spring band having an arcuate seat with an intermediate portion engaging a complementary seat on said interlocking member and end portions engaging complementary seats on said bolster end at opposite sides of said interlocking member.

2. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said columns and compression member, guide surfaces on each of said columns spaced from said compression member, a semi-elliptic spring in said bolster opening with a spring band centrally thereof and end portions supported in said columns, an interlocking member seated on said band with end portions engaging said guide surfaces, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with a widened upper portion engaging said guide surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relationship with said 4interlocking member, said widened top portion having a depth less than the distance between said guide surfaces and the while said interlocking member and spring remain in assembled relationship therein, said spring band having an arcuate seat engaging a complementary seat on said interlocking member and engaging spaced complementary seats on said bolster end.

3. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member,

diagonal struts merging with said columns and compression member, guide surfaces on each of said columns spaced from said compression member, a semi-elliptic spring in said bolster bolster end extending into said with a widened upper portion engaging said guide surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relacompression member thereabove so that said bolster end may be raised above said guide sur faces and disengaged from said bolster opening while said interlocking member and spring re-` main in assembled relationship therein, said spring band having an arcuate seat adjacent portions engaging aligned on said bolster end and said interlocking member respectively.

4. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member,

ing member seated on said band with end portions engaging said guide surfaces, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with a having a depth less than said guide surfaces and the compression member thereabove so that said bolster end may be raised above said guide surfaces and disengaged from said bolster opening while said interlocking member and spring remain in assembled relationship therein, said bolster end having spaced arcuate seats engaging said spring band at opposite sides of said interlocking member.

5. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening ings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said compression member, gude surfaces on each of said columns spaced from said compression member, a semi-elliptic spring in said bolster opening with a spring band ce trally thereof and end portions supported in said columns, an interlocking member seated on said band with end portions engaging said guide surfaces, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with a widened upper portion engaging said guide surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relationship with said interlocking member, said widened top portion having a depth less than the distance between said guide surfaces and the compression member thereabove so that said bolster end may be raised above said guide surfaces and withdrawn from said bolster opening while said interlocking member and spring remain in assembled relationship therein, said bolster end and said interlocking member having aligned arcuate seats engaging a complementary seat on said spring band.

6. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said compression member adjacent the junctures of said columns, journal boxes at the ends of said frame, spring seats adjacent said boxes, coil springs on said seats, hangers supported on said coil springs, adjacent ends on said tension member beneath said bolster opening and at their opposite ends on said hangers, a semi-elliptic spring supported on said fulcrum levers adjacent said columns and having a spring band in said bolster opening, an interlocking member seated on said band centrally of said opening and having vertical portions interlocking with guide surfaces on said columns, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with guide surfaces engaging said columns above said interlocking member, said bolster end and interlocking member having aligned cylindrical seats engaging said spring band to afford rocking relationship therewith longitudinally of said truck.

7. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said compression member adjacent the junctures of said columns, a guide surface on each column spaced from said compression member, journal boxes at the ends of said frame, spring seats adjacent said boxes, coil springs on said seats, hangers supported on said coil springs, fulcrum levers supported at their adjacent ends on said tension member beneath said bolster opening and at their opposite ends on said hangers, a semi-elliptic spring supported on said fulcrum levers adjacent said columns and having a spring band in said bolster opening, an interlocking member seated on said band centrally of said opening and having vertical portions interlocked with guide surfaces on said columns, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening, said bolster and said interlocking member having aligned arcuate seats engaging a complementary seat on said spring band, said bolster end having shelf-like upper portions engaging said guide surfaces above said interlocking member, said shelf-like portions having a depth less than the space between said compression member and said guide surfaces to permit dismantling of said bolster end from the top of said bolster opening while said interlocking member remains in assembled relationship with said semi-elliptic spring.

8. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said columns, guide surfaces on each of said columns spaced .from said compression member, a semi-elliptic spring in said bolster opening with a spring band centrally thereof and end portions supported in said columns, an interlocking member seated on said band with end portions engaging said guide surfaces, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with a widened upper portion engaging said guide surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relationship with said interlocking member, said widened top portion having a depth less than the distance between said guide surfaces and the compression member thereabove so that said bolster end may be raised above said guide surfaces and disengaged from said bolster opening while said interlocking member and spring remain in assembled relationship therein, said bolster end and said interlocking member having aligned cylindrical seats engaging said band to afford rocking relation therewith longitudinally of said truck.

9. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said columns, guide surfaces on each of said columns spaced from said compression member, a semielliptic spring in said bolster opening with a spring band centrally thereof and end portions supported in said columns, an interlocking member seated on said band with end portions engaging said guide surfaces, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with a widened upper portion engaging said guide surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relationship with said interlocking member, said widened top portion having a depth less than the distance between said guide surfaces and the compression member thereabove so that said bolster end may be raised above said guide surfaces and disengaged from said bolster opening while said interlocking member and spring remain in assembled relationship therein.

1f). In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said compression member adjacent the junctures of said column, bolster guide surfaces on said columns spaced from said compression member, journal boxes at the ends of said frame, spring seats adjacent said boxes, coil springs on said seats, hangers supported on said coil springs, fulcrum levers supported at their adjacent ends on said tension member beneath said bolster opening and at their opposite ends on said hangers, a semi-elliptic spring supported on said fulcrum levers adjacent said columns and having a spring band in said bolster opening, an interlocking member seated on said band centrally of said opening and having vertical portions interlocked with said guide surfaces on said columns, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with guide means engaging said columns above said interlocking member, said guide means having a depth less than the distance between said column guide surfaces and said compression member to permit dismantling of said bolster end from said bolster opening while said interlocking member remains in assembled relation with said semi-elliptic spring, said bolster end and said interlocking member having arcuate seats engaging said spring band to permit rocking relationship therewith.

11. In a railway car truck, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, spaced columns forming therewith a central bolster opening and spaced window openings at opposite sides of each column defined in part by diagonal struts merging with said compression member and columns, guide surfaces on each of said columns spaced from said compression member, a semi-elliptic spring in said bolster opening with a spring band centrally thereof and end portions supported in said columns, an interlocking member seated on said band with end portions engaging said guide surfaces, and a bolster end extending into said bolster opening with a widened upper portion having guide means engaging said column surfaces and a lower portion in interlocking relationship with said interlocking member, said guide means having a vdepth less than the space between said guide surfaces and said compression member to permit removal of said bolster end at the top of said bolster opening, said bolster end and said interlockrst-mentioned arcuate seatto permit all of said seats to engage a single supporting member for rocking engagement therewith.

13. In a bolster, a box-section having at opposite sides thereof widened shelf portions with column engaging surfaces, a transverse cavity in the bottom of said bolster affording a seat for an associated interlocking member, and aligned arcuate spring seats at opposite sides of said cavity.

ROBERT B. COTTRELL. 

